Colleague bringing scales to office - weighing others.

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I work in an office with around 20 other people. A colleague has started bringing in scales so that he and others can weigh themselves in front of others.

Everyone stands in a circle around the scales and watches while they take it in turns to weigh themselves.

So far I have managed to avoid being asked to weigh myself in front of the others, perhaps because I am overweight.

Management don't seem bothered and are even joining in with the weighing.

Not really sure why posting, just wanted to hear what others think.

So if this is exclusionary because it might upset someone who...er.. doesn't want to take part....does that mean talk of e.g. Friday beers after work should stop in case someone is a recovering alcoholic? Can't ask a colleague for a painkiller out loud in case this triggers an addict (yes this shouldn't be allowed but it happens)? Better not discuss your menopause symptoms in case it upsets someone?

It would depend on the HR dept personal viewpoints, as this particular activity isn't a legal/emp law concern, but I'm fairly confident the most they would do if this was reported is tell them all to do it in a side office.

Op is there a side office they could do this in?

Well it’s voluntary so I’m not seeing what the issue is. If I worked in a call centre I’d do anything to break the monotony

Yes there are a couple of side offices they could use.

Actually thinking about this, are they the super duper scales that apparently tell you body mass/muscle etc?

No, just standard rotary bathroom scales.

What a peculiar thing to do.

If they ask you to join in , just say “no thanks” . I won’t get on the scales even if my doctor asks me to . It’s ok to refuse .

But the assumption that everyone needs, wants, should lose weight? Our society seems obsessed. Someone bringing in scales massive assumption and not helpful to ED . These ideas of support all very well but don’t belong in a work place they should only be a group people visit of their own accord and actually a private environment.

But the assumption that everyone needs, wants, should lose weight? Our society seems obsessed. Someone bringing in scales massive assumption and not helpful to ED . These ideas of support all very well but don’t belong in a work place they should only be a group people visit of their own accord and actually a private environment

Or someone can just not take part and show it’s ok not to want to lose weight and be comfortable in their own skin, is that not a better example than half the office vanishing to a side room for a weigh in.

If your not feeling pressured into joining in then I really don’t see the problem.

That sounds awful,. I would hate it. It sounds as though they are turning the office into a weightwatches class. If they want to do that surely it should be in a separate room away from desks etc. It doesn't sound very professional. What if there are external visitors does the weigh in still take place?

Can you expand on "react accordingly" - I'm imagining that if he thinks your weight is wrong he will ignore you? make you miss lunch??!

Exactly, there are probably weight watchers or slimming world clubs, there are apps on your phone where you can track calories or weight loss, fitbits or smart watches, they could make a private WhatsApp group. All of those would be supportive to those wanting to lose weight without bringing scales into a workplace and not involve other people or make them feel they need to somehow excuse themself

Bathroom scales are like crack cocaine to an individual with an ED.